Saturday 16th December, 2017 - 1st XV away to Skerries in Towns Cup

​The draw for the first round of the 2018 Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup took place on Saturday 16th December in the Bank of Ireland, Ballsbridge. The draw was hosted by Leinster Rugby’s title sponsor Bank of Ireland. Newbridge have been draw away to last years beaten finalists, Skerries 2nd XV. The match will be played on Sunday 21st January with a 2.30pm kick off. After facing eventual winners, Tullow away, in the opening round of the 2017 competition, this is again a very tough away first round match for Newbridge .... but in Cup Rugby many things are possible. Tullow claimed the Towns Cup trophy in April 2017 when they defeated Skerries RFC 2nd XV 20 pts to 3 at Athy RFC. Click HERE to go to Leinster Rugby website for more draw information.

The Provincial Towns Cup trophy is one of the oldest trophies in existence in Irish Rugby. It was purchased in 1892 for £25 from Wests in Grafton Street, Dublin. The cup bears the title of Leinster Junior Challenge Trophy but it is not as old as the competition itself, which was established in 1888. Well known Irish Internationals who have set out on the road to capture an elusive Town’s Cup winners medal include Mick Doyle, Jimmy Kelly, Willie Duggan, Ned Byrne, Tony Ensor, Ciaran Fitzgerald, Jim Glennon, Phil Lawlor, Geordan Murphy and Ian Dowling.

“The Provincial Towns Cup has been the spirit of Club rugby and epitomizes the “Holy Grail” – it’s a great journey that involves passion, courage, despair and elation – it’s one of the great Irish rugby tournaments” TONY WARD

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YOUR TOWN

YOUR CLUB

YOUR CUP

​Click HERE to read more about the history of the Leinster Provincial Towns Cup.